There are thousands of articles on the world wide web talking about getting maximum mileage out of your car. Just like the millions of car owners that wanted to get the most mileage out of their cars, I was reading through dozens of ‘how to‘ articles on ‘hypermiling‘. Hypermiling is a term coined by Wayne Gerdes, and hypermilers are those drivers striving to exceed the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) fuel economy rating of their vehicles.
I’m not going to talk about the cars and their mileage efficiencies in the US and Europe, but in a country like India where one cannot exceed 35-60 kmph inside congested city roads. Also, enormous traffic jams that happen due to the callous (or should I say, people unfriendly?) attitude of the so called ministers who visit the governor’s office during rush hour, are considered.
Since I’ve a petrol powered car, I can talk only about them and not diesel powered ones. This is may look like a generic ‘how to‘ article; nevertheless, I’ve been collecting data for the past 19 months of driving in congested city traffic conditions and seeing big improvements. I’ve shared most of the points with my colleagues who were also worried about the rising gas prices, and who wanted to get the maximum mileage out of their cars. Some of them, if not all, gave me positive reviews on how they were able to increase the mileage by about 3-4 kmpl.
Tankful practice: The first step towards achieving the best gas mileage in a tropical country like India is to fill up the tank to its near capacity. Do not wait until the pump cuts off automatically on sensing tankful of petrol. This is because most petrol pumps have a fuel return mechanism (even though the pump may cut off on sensing full tank..) that will return any excess fuel back into their underground storage tank. You’ll be billed for the amount of petrol that came out of the nozzle, and you stand to lose by returning even a few milliliters of fuel back to the tanks of those miserly oil companies.
The capacity of my car’s fuel tank is 45 liters, and I tend to refill it with 19 liters when the gauge shows half tank. By following this practice, there is very less air in the tank, which in turn minimizes the evaporation of petrol when the ambient temperature is high (yeah, tropical!). One is sure to get an increase in mileage by about 14%!
Tank your car early in the morning: The underground tank at the petrol station cools down overnight, and the petrol that comes out of a cold tank is denser. Also, the ambient temperature will also be relatively less to contain high losses due to evaporation.
Fifth gear driving: Always try to get to the overdrive gears as fast as possible. Overdrive gears, usually the fourth and the fifth, result in relatively low engine RPMs, and less fuel consumption. Ideal between 40-60 kmph in city driving conditions. I’ve seen people linger in the third gear even at 40-43 kmph. I suggest switching to the fourth (fifth will result in engine knocking!) gear to save some petrol, even if it amounts to just 12% of it..
Air conditioning (AC) unit setting, keep it at 25°C: Most cities in tropical countries are hot with ambient temperatures ranging somewhere between 30°C and 37°C. The thermostat shuts off the AC compressor when the cabin temperature reaches the set number. It is easier for the car’s AC unit to reach 25°C than 21°C at such insane ambient temperatures. So, you save more petrol at 25°C than at 21°C! Also, remember to keep in recirculate mode and not in ventilate mode.
Judicious use of AC is advisable. There will be situations when the ambient temperature is just about 27°C, but still needs AC inside the cabin. During such ambient conditions, the cabin cools off very quickly and the AC unit can be turned off manually, instead of waiting for it to cut off automatically. Of course, the chillness inside the cabin stays on for a longer duration than it does on a hot summer day.
Light footed driving: Being gentle on the accelerator is of utmost importance when one wants to be a hypermiler. Unwanted acceleration and sudden deceleration results in immense wastage of petrol in city driving conditions.
Air PSI: 30 PSI (pound per square inch) pressure on all four tires is optimal for good gas mileage. Again, higher ambient temperature calls for weekly checks of the air pressure. It isn’t a difficult task, is it?
So, the above set of suggestions may look like a laundry list that you may have already come across. However, following are the figures that ‘m achieving by adhering to the aforementioned list for the past 19 months (my car is a 95 bhp 1.5 liter mini-gas-guzzler!):
- Hot summer days – ambient temperature 35°C – city ONLY driving conditions
- 360 km for 30 liters – 12 kmpl (full tank practice)
- 198 km for 20 liters – 9.9 kmpl (empty to almost half-tank practice)
- Relatively cooler days – ambient temperature between 23°C and 27°C – city ONLY driving conditions
- 396 km for 30 liters – 13.2 kmpl (full tank practice)
- 216 km for 20 liters – 10.8 kmpl (empty to almost half-tank practice)
Be it hot or cool ambient temperatures, you all know that the traffic jams are always HOT in Indian cities. Ultimately, it is us, after paying the taxes, tax our driving techniques to reduce the diameter of the hole in our wallets. Of course, we have one good reason to be less polluting than most other drivers that lack civic sense and basic concern for the environment.
Have you considered car pooling? I’m practising it, and saving some good money on petrol!!
Thumbnail picture source: Wikipedia
dude! even the image rendered very good on my mobile. crisp, sharp & fast!
A new Guinness World Book of Records record was set early this morning when the CleanMPG team of Wayne Gerdes, Justin Fons, and Jennie Chen achieved an average of 68.537 mpg in a new 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid sponsored by American Honda and Scangauge! The record was for the highest mpg on a contiguous drive through 48 states.
Wow, this is great news! If hybrid vehicles, such as this, continue to return impressive mpg they have a bright future. If there would be a tighter cooperation between the governments and the hybrid car manufacturers in reducing the car prices, people will be more than happy to switch from Diesel to hybrid petrol vehicles – paving way for a cleaner and greener future! What say you?
Great article. I am planning to buy an Accent and landed up on your post while looking for mileage. Thanks for the tips. I guess every car owner can sqeeze a couple of kms if they keep certain things in mind as suggested.
Are you gonna buy an Accent? Well, you may have to reconsider given the number of choices you’ve got in the market right now. Why don’t you try a Palio MJD or Linea?
Very good post. I was wanting to write a post on tips to improve mileage in India. Looks like you beat me to it.
Couple of additional points – I have tried is to either switch off the car at long signals or to switch off the A/C at signals. I have noticed a slight improvement with switching off the A/C on idle itself.
If I notice traffic piling up I switch off the engine and open the windows.
Switching off AC works well too..but not many would want to do that in places like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai or Hyderabad where summer heat is scorching
hi there
Nice tips.
I have been following some of them on myown…need to catch up with others.
I had some questions regarding coasting/gliding down hill/ to Stop signals.
1. Is it OK to coast in nuetral ( i own a Petrol 2007 Alto)? ( imean which is better–coasting in nuetral or in gear. i know engine switched off causes steering and breaks to lock so i avoid it.)
2. does coasting affect my transmission & clutch?
3. is more fuel consumed during starting than in waiting for 10secs at signals?
thanks and regards
Rajesh
Dear Rajesh
Coasting means you are driving in neutral which is never advisable. Car consumes more fuel in coasting mode. But when you are driving in a higher gear on flat road with less traffic just release the accelerator and when the car begin to slow down press the accelerator gently to achieve desired speed. This practice will definitely save fuel. Don’t turn off engine if you need to wait for just 10-15 seconds. Starting engine will consume more fuel.
One important suggestion from me, try to skip one gear while shifting gears. If the road is clear then shift from 3rd gear to 5th gear or from 2nd gear to 4th gear. If you are the only one in the car (means less load in car) and on a flat/plain road try to use 2nd gear instead of 1st.
Rony
Hi Good Post. I was aware of a lot of the practices you have mentioned, but Tankful is a new thing. Thanks for that tip, will experiment with it.
Friends,
I am planning to buy a car leaving my almost battered Alto behind and my budget is around 6 lacs. In fact my preference is an Accent Executive though I have test-driven many other models including the New Estilo. I felt my brother’s i10 also wonderful but for it’s heavy built (I felt so perhaps I have been driving an Alto!)
I drive daily 40 kms partially on highways and partly on well laid village-roads (they are well maintained, though with curves and mounts, typical of Kerala)
My family and friends say I drive well (even I think so about me…lol!!!), they comment that they never felt even a little drag or pull while in the car with me whether in city traffic or on highways.
Which car is preferable for me, an Accent Executive or New Estillo?
(Please keep in mind that my family will certainly read your comments before favouring my decision. help me somehow so that I can get my Accent which I like very much..and please don’t foget to delete these last lines in brackets before posting your comments…smile!!!)
By
Manoj
Well, Accent is a good vehicle, absolutely no doubt about it. But, in an year or so, it will be phased out. So, why buy a car when you know that it might be phased out soon? Also, I wouldn’t even consider Estilo if I were you. You said your budget is about 6 lacs, and I suggest you buy the Fiat Punto Diesel or Swift Diesel since you would be commuting 40kms every day. Don’t consider all those people who say that Fiat service is bad..blah, blah! It’s a really good vehicle, very low maintenance, glides over pot-holes, and it’s sexy looking in black, red and light blue. I would’ve bought the Punto if it were available in 2007. I’m sorry ‘ve diverted out of your actual choices, but I did coz I want you to buy a better one..
Thank you for your valuable suggestions.
When I thought of Accent, I took into consideration a sedan type that fits into my pocket; also of keeping it a permanent vehicle for its sturdiness, fit, contours and comfort. There is a sea of difference with regards to comments on its mileage. Anyhow, if it is going to be phased out, then its maintenance and spares would become a real challenge, I believe.
Then about considering the New Estilo, unlike the old Zen Estilo which was not at all a favourite to customers, has improved features like Kseries engine, 18+ milege (maruti company’s version), power windows, rear washer wiper, defogger, fog lamps etc. Could you rethingk about these features and give a suggestion?
In fact, my father was also suggestiong Puntho. Let me see it.
Then what about an i10 with all options?
But all said; I am sad that I miss a sedan with my lean budget if I am to give up hope on Accent. The other models I wished to buy were Baleno and Esteem but are no more made.
Could you comment?
Manoj
I agree that the new Estilo would give you more mileage, but I’ve not test driven this new one with Kseries engine. However, I’ve tried Punto, and it simply exceeded my expectations. I was literally floating over potholes, and the noise inside the cabin was well contained. I don’t have to talk about the fit and sturdiness of the chassis – it’s a Fiat! To me, it’s the best looking hatch on Indian roads. But, Fiat has poor resale value – people are engulfed by the many myths about Fiat India. Well, if you’re a Maruti fan, you might consider Swift Diesel (it’s nothing but Fiat’s diesel engine), tweaked for slightly more power. It has excellent resale value too.